Curious...

Okay, so...my previous psychiatrist had diagnosed me as BPD a year or so ago. More recently, I switched doctors and this psychiatrist dropped that diagnoses and instead believes I am Bipolar 2. Out of curiosity, I was doing some online research of BPD criteria (my old doc never explained it well). After reading up on the criteria, I feel that I may still be Borderline. I have trouble staying in relationships more than a few months, and the ones I've been in have been volatile, if not downright abusive. I have terrible self-esteem most of the time...my self image is somewhat skewed (for example, I often believe no man would find me attractive, that I'm basically a failure at life, etc.). I also display the passive/manipulative trait of BPD-I'm usually terrified to ask for help or for anything really, so I "beat around the bush" until the person gets it. However, I have never attempted suicide, and I've only once seriously considered it. I've never threatened harm to myself or another person when a partner or friend wanted to leave. I also don't have a problem empathizing or loving other people. I guess my dilemma is that I'm not sure if i'm Borderline or not, and wanted to get opinions and advice from others who have BPD to see if I need to bring it up with my doctor again. Any help is appreciated!

From what I can gather they look for clusters of symptoms. Anxiety, depression, eating disorders and any addictions could signify BPD. This is what a couple of psychiatrists have said to me when I've asked them how BPD and other PDs are diagnosed. So, I don't even think you have to particularly display a fear of abandonment, splitting, black and white thinking or self harm to get diagnosed.

It gets complicated because a lot of people with mood disorders have anxiety disorders too and people with anxiety get worn down by it and depressed. It isn't an exact science and psychiatry hasn't been around for that long in the grand scheme of things.

I think it's always a good idea to bring up questions about diagnosis with psychiatrists and most seem happy to answer them.

I would have to give your second psychiatrist a nod in understanding your case, but I wont say they are right or wrong. BPD is an emotional regulation issue, and bipolar is a mood disorder. From what you describe you seem to have no problem regulating emotions as you say you have no problem empathizing and feeling. I would have to agree that it might be a mood disorder, but it is still possible you have bpd. People with BPD can feel for others, they just have a hard time doing so, and either go to great lengths to prevent people from abandoning them, or they leave people before they can be abandoned.

If you are able to see a therapist who can do DBT treatment with you, it can probably be at least somewhat helpful, even if you don't meet the full criteria for a BPD diagnosis. Even without a label, a LOT of people have at least one or two dysfunctions that are parts of a disorder, and those parts or specific dysfunctions can still be worked on through therapy.

I used to meet the full criteria for BPD, but several of my symptoms changed over the course of my mid twenties. Certain therapeutic techniques are still helpful to me, though. Certain therapeutic techniques, like ones that focus on building strong coping skills, can even benefit people with mood disorders, as well.

Basically even if you don't have the label, if you have some dysfunctions, you still deserve therapy if you want it.